The CNSC Welcomes IAEA's Conclusion that All Nuclear Material in Canada Remains in Peaceful Applications

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - Sept. 21, 2005) - The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) welcomes the recent announcement by Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that all nuclear material in Canada remains in peaceful applications. The IAEA drew this conclusion based on the determination that there has been no diversion of any declared nuclear material, and that there is no undeclared nuclear materials or activities in Canada.

After five years of implementing strengthened safeguards in Canada, the IAEA is in a position to provide credible assurance of the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Canada, thereby drawing for the first time the broader safeguards conclusion.

"This conclusion provides an increased level of confidence to Canadians and to the international community that Canada's nuclear activities are strictly for peaceful purposes," said Linda J. Keen, President and CEO of the CNSC. "It also paves the way for new approaches to the implementation of safeguards in Canada."

The Additional Protocol to the existing Safeguards Agreement which Canada signed in September 1998 provides the IAEA with enhanced access to sites within Canada, and with increased information about Canada's nuclear and nuclear-related activities. The broader conclusion is the culmination of an extensive, concerted and cooperative effort by the CNSC, Foreign Affairs Canada, the IAEA and Canadian industry which began in September 2000 when Canada brought the Additional Protocol into force.

This is the first time that the IAEA has drawn this conclusion for Canada, and Canada is committed to ensuring that the IAEA continues to be able to draw this conclusion annually and report it to the IAEA Board of Governors.